Connect Groups are vital to our lives as Christians. God created us to connect with others and not at the superficial levels. To really be alive, to live life to its fullest you and I need some significant relationships - to be fully known, to be fully loved. What that means is --- we should be committed to other people as we journey through life. There is something that resonates with everybody when it comes to wanting deeper relationships. We want them…but why? The reason is God wired us to be connected, to be deeply relating with one another. So why is it when you look around --- people are living lives alone. We can be around people and still be alone. If you and I don’t have significant relationships we can hide. Let me take it a step further. We can hide broken parts of our lives. So God may be calling you to be a leader who LEADS the WAY…that is why God uses influencers --- so that we can help gather people so they can connect. What will happen if you and I don’t --- how many people won’t grow, get help, be encouraged. Because it is people in our life that help mold us, shape us, and change us so that you can be more like Him!
3-Part Purpose of Connect Groups
To see the Biblical community that was established in the first church in the book of Acts, we purpose to model a Bible based interaction of friendships with the end in mind of adding people to the Kingdom of God, both numerically and spiritually! There are 3 Main Focus to our Purpose ---
#1 To Engage --- for people to engage in relationship --- it could be centered around Interest groups like – Hunting, fishing, golfing, fitness, cropping, boating, camping, book clubs, coffee, mom’s play dates, or Gender groups like --- men, women, couples, singles. These groups can be home groups…meet at restaurants…coffee houses… church…classrooms. Connect groups meet no less than twice monthly, but it is optimal to meet 1 per week.
#2 To Encourage --- one of the best ways for this to come about is through Praying for one another. The church must be praying for one another to defeat the attacks of the enemy and keep fellow-believers strong (Acts 4:17, 18, 19-31 and James 5:16). Many people have no Christian friends or family they can go to for personal prayer or support. Connect Groups are also about accountability because you cannot have spiritual growth without relationships. The idea of individualism in American culture has influenced many about spiritual growth. Most spiritual formation tends to be self-centered and self-focused without reference to a relationship with others. But the New Testament shows us that Christians need relationships to grow. We don’t grow in isolation from others; we develop in the context of fellowship. Heb. 10:24 says “let’s meet together so we can encourage one another.” Relationships are not only the glue that keeps people connected to your church…even more importantly, they move people toward maturity. The Bible teaches that fellowship is not optional for a Christian…
#3 To Disciple --- the Great Commission tells us we are to make disciples of all men and women…so another purpose to be fulfilled --- to teach the Word of God. Acts 5:42 tells us the early church taught or talked about Jesus Christ from house to house. These teachings can be based on discussion questions from Pastor Shon's latest series [DVD interaction video, or Discussion sheet]. These groups are also designed for fellowship. Acts 2:42 says “and they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Having close friends, and people to love and share together with, is one of the greatest rewards of being a Christian. Many people have never had an opportunity to make friends and have regular fellowship with believers. Connect groups can provide a casual setting to meet people and develop Christian friendships.